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CASE STUDY OF SUSHANTA PILA,IKARPAL UNDER PILOT PROJECT ,NABARD ON HYV PADDY IN KHARIF 2011-12 M ost people, the vast majority in fact, lead the lives that circumstances have thrust upon them, and though some repine, looking upon themselves as round pegs in square holes, and think that if things hadbeen different they might have made a much better showing, the greater part accept theirlot, if not with serenity, at all events with resignation. They are like tram-cars travelingfor ever on the self-same rails. Susanta Pila is a that type of man, who has resigned himself completely todestiny. He has accepted his penury in a pre-destined manner and thinks that he is poorbecause God wants him to be poor. A toy in the cruel clutches of fate! In the twilight of June, 2011 we first met Susanta Pila at a picturesque hamletnamed ‘IKADPAL’ in Baliapal Block in Balasore district in Odisha. In the crimson glowof light when the nature adorned herself with the gorgeous dress of a bride, Susanta Pilalooked pale, apathetic and indifferent. We were certainly unwelcome guests to him. Wewere constantly striving to convince him about the miracle of cultivation of RGL 25-37scientifically as recommended by ICAR from the pilot programme of NABARDimplemented by ARM, a leading NGO in Balasore district in Odisha. He was gigglingsilently as if we were making a fun like the sad satire and sarcasm of his lot. Thanks to the Lord, finally Susanta Pila agreed to accept our proposal withflickering faith. 1

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The life-story of Susanta Pila is not at all new and novel. It’s the repetition of atragic tale of the have-nots - a dungeon of deprivation and dejection. Susanta Pila, an inhabitant of Ikadpal village, is a marginal farmer having only 4decimals of lands, which are mainly mono-cropped. Susanta is a primary school drop outwho had to discontinue his studies after Class-II due to poverty. Susanta, aged 50 years,lives in a small hut in an uncouth atmosphere with his wife Rabati Pila, and 1 son [16years] and 1 daughter [19 years]. He somehow ekes out a living by growing local paddyin his 4 decimals lands and other 1.16 acre land hired on lease for Kharif season. He livesbelow the poverty line without having food security for his family for the entire year. Hecultivates in 1 acre and 16 decimals of land every year [4 decimals own land and 1.16acre land taken on lease]. All throughout the year he gets only 1 crop i.e. local Indicavariety of paddy. Besides, due to adherence to traditional system of farming, landproduction is very low - only 11 quintals from 1 acre and 20 decimals of land. Rice istheir staple food and the family needs 3.5 kg. of rice daily, i.e. 1277.50 kg. of rice for thewhole year for family consumption. But unfortunately he gets only 11 quintals of paddy,i.e. 660kg. of rice from 1 acre and 20 decimals of land for the whole year, if there is agood monsoon. If there is a natural disaster, the cultivation gets badly damaged filling tothe cup of misery of the family to its brim. Thus the family lives in perpetual poverty andprivation. 2

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However, Susanta Pila was motivated to cultivate RGL 25-37 in the Kharif seasonof 2011. He was given 1 day’s pre-season training from the Pilot project of NABARDimplemented by ARM, a NGO in Balasore district in Odisha. He was trained up in theseed treatment, land preparation, fertilizers application, pest management and above all inthe scientific system of cultivation of RGL 25-37, a HYV paddy recommended by ICAR.He was also given support for inputs like seeds, fertilizers, insecticides etc. on 50%subsidy basis from the Pilot programme of NABARAD. Thanks to the authorities of NABARD and in particular to Mr. Laxindhar Dash,DDM, NABARD for his bold initiative, kind help and collaboration, the implementationof Pilot Programme of NABARD through ARM, Odisha has changed the life of SusantaPila. Now to assess the impact of the application of the technology in the life andlivelihood of Susanta Pila, the beneficiary farmer, let us have a comparative study ofagricultural yield and net income before and after the implementation of the programme.Agricultural yield and resultant income from 1 acre and 20 decimals of land beforethe implementation of pilot programme of NABARD, Implemented by ARM,OdishaSeason Name of Total yield at Value of total Cost of cultivation Net income the crop 1 acre and 20 produce decimals of landKharif Local Indica 1100 kg. [1100 x i] Cost for inputs like Rs.11,800 – variety of Rs.10/- per seeds, fertilizers, Rs. 8,500 = paddy kg] = 11,000 insecticides = Rs.1,500 Rs.3,300 By product 4 Kahans [4 Kahans x ii] Cost for ploughing Straw Rs.200/- per Rs.500 Kahans] = 800 iii] Cost for labour = Rs.3,000 Rs.11,800 iv] Cost for lease for 1 acre land for 1 season = Rs.3,500 Total = 8,500 3

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Impacts of the project: 1. Introduction of scientific system of farming – Before the implementation of the pilot project of NABARD, the beneficiary farmer used to grow only Local Indica variety of Paddy in the traditional method. But after the implementation of the project Susanta no longer adheres to traditional system of farming. He has started cultivating HYV paddy in a scientific manner. 2. Successful dissemination of appropriate technologies – The technologies of improved farm practices and cultivation of disease-resistant and high yielding variety of RGL 25-37 have been successfully transferred among the beneficiary farmer. 3. Phenomenal Increase in agricultural productivity - After the implementation of the pilot programme with the introduction of scientific system of farming, agricultural productivity per acre has increased phenomenally. For example, before the implementation of the project, Susanta only used to get Local variety of 1100 kg. of paddy in 1.5 acre of land in the Kharif season. But after the implementation of the project Susanta has got 2250 kg. of HYV paddy in 1.5 acre of land. So, the agricultural productivity has been multiplied two times with the successful implementation of the pilot programme of NABARD. 4. Rise in Income – The Pilot programme of NABARD has raised the meager income of the poor farmer Susanta spectacularly. Before the implementation of the programme from 1.5 acre of land Susanta had only net income of Rs.3,300, which has been increased to Rs.18,800 after the programme. His income has been increased roughly six times of his previous income. The comparison of return from 1.5 acre land area before and after the pilot programme of NABARD has been represented below by Bar-diagram. Income Level 18800 20000 15000 10000 Income Level 3300 5000 0 1 2 5

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 1 denotes the Net Income of Susanta Pila from 1.5 acre of land before the implementation of the Pilot programme of NABARD.  2 denotes the Net Income of Susanta Pila from 1.5 acre of land after the implementation of the Pilot programme of NABARD.5. Up-gradation of standard of living – With a perceptible rise in income level the standard of living of Susanta Pila has been improved noticeably. His purchasing capacity has been increased leading to increase in the per capita consumption level.6. Food Security – Before the implementation of the pilot programme they had to starve or remain under-fed day after day. The family had only food security for hardly 200 days in a year. Now they will have food security for the entire year. Susanta no longer looks apathetic and indifferent, nor does he curse his fate for his sufferings. He has taken the course of his life in his own hands as he has already tasted the victory of diligence. He has suddenly been awakened from his sweat-sound sleep and slumber. He will have to still cross many meadows and mountains. He is longer like a tram-car traveling for ever on the self-same rails. And above all, we are no more unwelcome guests to him. RAJENDRA KUMAR RANA Coordinating Member 6